Are police scanner apps illegal?

[z96Cobra]

Get your Amateur Radio License (Ham) and you will be exempt from mobile scanner laws in many states. This will, however, depend on the wording of each state's law.

 

[FrellingFrakker]

ok maybe not most states haha...i stand corrected...guess the best thing is to check with your state laws

I've had a scanner in my car since 82

I was still in a booster seat in '82.

Sorry, I couldn't resist

 

[DroidDoctor]

Here's a Q: Is the restriction based upon the FREQUENCY being scanned, or the INFORMATION? If it is a frequency access restriction, the application may not have such a restriction, as it is now data, not RF. I didn't look at the link above for the laws yet, maybe someone can comment? - DD

 

[thaDroidz]

most scanner apps are relying on feeds that the dispatch, police, fire dept. who it may be, stream to the internet. Which I would think in that case they are making public access with very good amount of delay. Meaning if you hear them on your app that they got your house surrounded, your probably sitting in the back seat by then.

 

[ilikemoneygreen]

Here's a Q: Is the restriction based upon the FREQUENCY being scanned, or the INFORMATION? If it is a frequency access restriction, the application may not have such a restriction, as it is now data, not RF. I didn't look at the link above for the laws yet, maybe someone can comment? - DD

Frequency isn't an issue as i'm positive the ones they don't want public hearing are encrypted. My dads fire radio picks up only a couple police channels, and he uses the same system as the cops. Police scanners pick up those unencrypted channels. Its cool, but all the serious calls arn't unencrypted for long... I'm sure the media would love if they were. Thats my understanding that is. And if you have a Ham license then i believe the police wont bother you even if your in an "illegal" state. If they nail you i think it would be operating it without the proper license.

 

[spc_hicks09]

MOBILE SCANNERS ARE ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES. Check with either your local authorities or look up your state laws online. Just because someone has had a scanner in their car for over 20 years, doesn't make it legal. Check your laws first before you use one. Here's the full article that was on msnbc.com:

Technolog - Police on radio scanner apps: That's not a 10-4

 

[DroidXDoes4G]

It seems that they aren't illegal, but in some states they are when in your car.

They are so much fun!!! Just if you could talk into your phone and they could hear you.... maybe next year I guess.

 

[PureBlue0229]

Scanners are legal but...

I'm a retired P.O. from a N.Y. suburb. In N.Y. police scanners are legal to buy and use but you are not allowed to use it in a moving vehicle. Obviously it's also illegal to use while in commission of a crime. As for other states, I couldn't tell you their laws.

 

[Vulcan1600]

get your amateur radio license (ham) and you will be exempt from mobile scanner laws in many states. This will, however, depend on the wording of each state's law.

.-/ --. /.-./ . /. / --.

 

[RETG]

I'm a retired P.O. from a N.Y. suburb. In N.Y. police scanners are legal to buy and use but you are not allowed to use it in a moving vehicle. Obviously it's also illegal to use while in commission of a crime. As for other states, I couldn't tell you their laws.

May I correct you and say not illegal to use in a moving car UNLESS YOU ARE AUTHORIZED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW.dancedroid

Not being critical, but I used to drive through NY quite often in a moving vehicle and I legally had a scanner in the vehicle I was issued, and I was not NY Law Enforcement.